# NTSB ANC17LA033: Piper PA 12, N4018H, Skwentna, AK, June 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 17, 2017, 14:34 local (22:34 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.879165, -150.79472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8792&lon=-150.7947&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 2 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95414 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC17LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95414/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95414 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the external load, which resulted in the load shifting during flight, interference with the water rudder cable, and a subsequent loss of control ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: cG/weight distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Equipment/furnishings: agricultural/external load sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022551): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022551/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022551/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was transporting about 120 lbs of plywood, secured to the airplane's float struts via cargo straps, to his remote cabin. The pilot reported that, about 200 ft above the ground during the landing approach, the airplane experienced an uncommanded left turn, then the pilot realized that he had no rudder control and that the rudder was "locked to the left." The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the engine and no anomalies with the airplane before the loss of control. The airplane's water rudder cables descend from the fuselage along the support struts to which the plywood was secured. The water rudders were directly linked to the rudder. It is likely that, during the flight, the plywood shifted and interfered with the water rudder cable, which resulted in the pilot's loss of rudder control during the landing approach. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2017, about 1434 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N4018H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Skwentna, Alaska. The commercial pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 external cargo load flight. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to transport plywood to his cabin. The cabin was located off Indian Creek, a tributary of the Yentna River, about 14.5 miles southeast of Skwentna, Alaska. About 120 lbs of plywood was secured with various cargo straps to the struts that attached the floats to the fuselage. As the pilot was approaching to land to the south on the north-to-south oriented waterway with a "light wind" from the south, about 200 ft above the trees, the airplane made an uncommanded turn to the left. The pilot did not recall the airspeed at the time. The pilot reported that he applied left rudder with no response and that the rudder was "locked to the left." The pilot was unable to maintain control, and the airplane impacted trees and came to rest in an open meadow. The pilot was able to egress without further incident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine or the airframe prior to the uncommanded turn to the left during the landing approach. Plywood secured to the float struts of a Piper PA-12 would be angled such that the plywood would follow the downward angle of the struts. The floats on the airplane were the Edo 089-2000 type. The water rudder cables on the airplane descend from the fuselage along the support struts to which the plywood was secured. The water rudders are directly linked to the rudder. The airplane's gross weight and center of gravity for the accident flight could not be determined. According to FAA Order 8400.34, for an airplane to legally and safely conduct external load operations under Part 91 or Part 135, the completion of several steps of a comprehensive process are required. This process is required for each individual airplane and is handled through a local FSDO. The airplane must meet certain eligibility requirements, the external load must meet certain eligibility requirements, the airplane must be inspected by the FAA, various forms must be reviewed and completed, and then a FAA Form 8310-7 Special Airworthiness Certificate is issued as well as operating limitations. Operational flight checks are also required to ensure that the airplane is safely controllable and has no adverse flight characteristics while carrying an external load. The pilot reported that he had an external load permit on file with the FAA and that he had been conducting external loads for several years with the accident airplane; however, review of FAA records revealed no external load permit for the accident airplane. The pilot previously held an external load permit for a Cessna A185F airplane. FAA Order 8400.34 states that plywood installed as an externalload is consider a major alteration to the airframe. Additionally, this document discusses the aerodynamic effects of external loads and states in part: Aerodynamic forces and the weight of an external load change an airplane's handling and flight characteristics. These forces can negatively affect airplane performance (takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing), airplane stability, flight control effectiveness, vibration, fuel consumption, and engine cooling, among other characteristics. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4018H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4018H-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 12-3446, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 12 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-3446 - Year built: 1947 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 Series 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2016 - Departed: 80AK, Houston, AK - Destination: None, Skwentna, AK - Airport: None, Remote Creek ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review September 16, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 20,300 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 20,300 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: PASW, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20170617005929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170617005929A), Jun 17, 2017: Piper PA-12, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Departed from private lake near houston, Alaska with intent to land on indian creek. Pilot was attempting to land to the south with winds from the south. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N4018H (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB SEA77DYA23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DYA23), Jun 4, 1977: Piper PA-12 (N4018H), Marsing, ID, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA7KDYA40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA7KDYA40), May 11, 1975: Piper PA-12 (N4018H), Homedale, ID, destroyed ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95414. 9.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Additional Questions Email (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485943&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Additional%20Questions%20Email%20-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversations (item 3, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversations%20-Master.PDF - FAA ASI Record of Conversation (item 4, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20ASI%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (item 5, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%20-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.